Bridging the gap between farm and table

Pennings announces creation of farm alliance

Photos

Photo by Roger Gavan
County, town and village officials and members of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce joined Steve Pennings, his family and staff for a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 30 to introduce a farm alliance. From left, Town of Warwick Deputy Supervisor James Gerstner, Mayor Michael Newhard, Orange County Legislator Paul Ruszkiewicz, Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce member Debi Young, WTBQ Station Manager Taylor Sterling, Chamber Executive Director Michael Johndrow, Chamber Board of Directors member Vikki Garby, Orange County Legislator Barry Cheney, Chamber President Sherry Bukovcan, Steve Pennings Jr., Jill and Steve Pennings, Farm Alliance Manager Brien Milbauer and Pennings Marketing Director Kaitlyn Leloup.

WARWICK — County, town and village officials and members of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce joined Steve Pennings, his family and staff for a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 30 to introduce a farm alliance.

The Pennings Farm "Farm Alliance," the first in Orange County, works very much like a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), an association of individuals who have pledged to support one or more local farms, with growers and consumers sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

CSA members or subscribers pay at the onset of the growing season for a share of the anticipated harvest; once harvesting begins, they receive weekly shares of vegetables and fruit

In addition to featuring items that are grown on site, Pennings has partnered with local farms and businesses to provide its customers with quality produce, meats, cheese, eggs, flowers, honey and other grocery and specialty items.

Once signed up for the 12-week program, which began Aug. 1, community members will be able to pick up each week's offerings at the farm.

Included with each pick up, community members will receive meal ideas from each week's selection, coupons to use in Pennings Market, Grill, Pub and Beer Garden, featured vignettes of partner farms and information about upcoming events at Pennings Farm.

For information on registration, farms participating in the alliance and a list of offerings contact Farm Alliance Manager Brien Milbauer at 544-0228 or visit www.PenningsFarmMarket.com.